Paeonia ostii

We already grow a tree peony, purchased as a plant - but this is my first successful attempt at starting a species tree peony from seed. This one has ruffled white flowers; I saw exactly one of those on a single fourth-year plant, and a few more the following year (as shown in the photo above). The flowers don't hang around for long, but they are spectacular while they last.

As brand new seedlings

April 2013: the very first bud!

Bushy-frilly center on a fading flower

Soon after the flowers fade, the seed pods start developing...

...and take on a reddish hue within weeks

Bursting open in mid-September to reveal the black seeds

All done but still striking in mid-November

We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston.

Visitors to this page have left the following comments

Maureen, birmingham. u.k.

Sep 21, 2010

Hi there, could you tell me the best way to help the seeds I have collected from the tree and how to store them over winter? I don't have a green house as live in a flat. Love browsing through your photos. Thanking you in advanceThe seeds should be fine stored in a cool place until early winter. You can start them indoors in late winter, using the procedure documented on this page.

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